Illini fortunate in 2OT win over Minnesota

Grab something for that nervous stomach. You'll probably need it during the Big Ten Conference season.

Favored in the Big Ten Conference opener, Illinois survived for an 81-72 double-overtime victory over Minnesota Tuesday, when it seemed every half-court possession down the stretch was an adventure.

"I said since the beginning of the season, we're not going to win every game, but every game we'll come out and fight,'' said Illini guard Brandon Paul, who had 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists but also lost five turnovers. "After we lost the lead, we made some plays. We kept grinding it out. A lot of guys kept making plays. We kept fighting.''

Despite losing 21 turnovers and blowing a 13-point lead in the second half, the Illini avoided a bad loss to start conference play.

"We pieced it together and found a way to win,'' Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "I hope the next 17 aren't like this, cause I can't take it.''

He's probably not the only one.

Illinois still has plenty of room to grow with decision-making and half-court offense, but the Illini were exhaling rather than explaining a fortunate win against the Gophers, who had a chance finish off the Illini in regulation. Guard Julian Welch, an 87.5-percent free-throw shooter, missed the front end of a one-and-bonus with 15.9 seconds left with Minnesota up by two.

Center Meyers Leonard hit two free throws to force overtime. After guard Sam Maniscalco missed a 3-pointer and Minnesota couldn't convert in the closing seconds of the first overtime, Paul and Leonard took over.

Paul sank a free throw, then scored on a breakaway dunk after Leonard poked at Minnesota center Ralph Sampson III. Leonard's two free throws moments later made it 75-70. Leonard's spinning finger roll moved the lead to 78-72, and the Illini were finally able to finish it off.

"I'm proud of our guys,'' Weber said. "We grinded it out. The first half, we played as well as we've played since Gonzaga. We just can't turn the ball over like that.

"It's huge. You've got to protect home court. You've got to anticipate a lot of close games. I don't know if this should have been close, but it was, to (the Gophers') credit.''

Leonard finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks but also lost five turnovers. Guards D.J. Richardson and Joe Bertrand scored 13 points apiece while Maniscalco had 10 points.

The half-court offense left everyone in orange squirming in their seats in the second half, because the Illini must improve on decision-making while making plays and taking shots, Weber said.

"It's not really elementary,'' Leonard said. "It's high level stuff, but you have to put it all together, get good chemistry, know what guys like to do, know what side of the court guys like to be on. We're going to keep working in practice. We'll be all right in the end.''

This game looked like a good chance for Illinois to start the conference season off with a win, despite entering Big Ten play by losing two of its last three games. The Gophers were playing without Trevor Mbakwe, a preseason all-Big Ten pick who suffered a season-ending knee injury in November.

The Illini were 5.5-point favorites by the Vegas oddsmakers, but Illinois end it in regulation after leading 48-35 in the second half.

Minnesota (12-2) lost for the first time in seven games despite 22 points and nine rebounds from Sampson.

"That was a real bad missed opportunity,'' Smith said. "It's hard to get a win on the road in the Big Ten.''

With Illinois searching for the right combinations, Weber went with some small ball and found a spark from Bertrand, who made his first four shots and ran his streak of field goals made to 13 over the last two games. The Illini also used the Twin Towers of Leonard and power forward Nnanna Egwu.

The biggest loser in playing time was Tyler Griffey, who started the first 13 games but hasn't been overly productive, so Weber didn't hesitate 4 minutes into the game to make a change.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.

Illinois report card
Front court -- B
Meyers Leonard had a big finish but also lost five turnovers. The Illini went with four guards when Tyler Griffey had another slow start against an athletic power forward.

Back court -- B

Brandon Paul wants to be a playmaker, but he's still learning how to do it. D.J. Richardson was solid again.

Bench -- A

Joe Bertrand ran his streak to 13 consecutive field goals made over the last two games before a miss. He finished with 13 points, making a strong case to start against Purdue Saturday.

Overall -- B

The half-court offense was gut-wrenching. Where's the Pepto? With so many tight games expected, this might lead to some ulcers among the Illini-heads.